Ryder Cup: Ray Floyd joins Andy North on Tom Watson's backroom team

Tom Watson has named Ray Floyd as an assistant captain for this year's Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.

Last Updated: 10/03/14 11:42am

Watson had already confirmed last July that Andy North would be one of his vice-captains, and he has now added Floyd to his backroom team as he attempts to wrestle the trophy out of Europe's grasp.

Watson picked Floyd as a wild-card when he last skippered the American team in 1993, making the four-time major champion the oldest player in the history of the competition.

His appearance at the Belfry shortly after turning 51 was his eighth appearance as a player, and came four years after he captained the side in the drawn 1989 contest at the same venue.

The 71-year-old Floyd also served as an assistant captain to Paul Azinger when the Americans won the Ryder Cup for the first time in nine years at Valhalla in 2008.

Speaking about Floyd, Watson said: "You look at Raymond's eyes, you never saw his eyes waver. No matter if he was shooting 80 - which he rarely did - or shooting 65, his eyes had a focus that you like to see.

"The way he played the game was every shot counted, and that's the type of guy that I want to be taking care of my back, as the captain.

Pressure

"He'll have stories to share and he'll have an understanding of what the pressure is like. He'll be able to relate to the players and be there for them.

"He'll be able to see how nervous they get and talk to them from the standpoint of 'this is how I did it'."

Floyd thanked Watson for selecting him and said of his role: "Tom is the captain and he, and we as vice-captains, don't hit a shot.

"Our responsibility is to see that these guys are comfortable, that they are happy. We need to be an uplifting spirit, if you like.

"Any questions these guys have, they have to be comfortable to come to us."

Fred Couples had been a favourite to join Watson's team having assisted Davis Love at Medinah in 2012 while also skippering the Presidents Cup side to three straight victory.

Watson has not made it clear how many assistant captains he will have at Gleneagles, although he is not expected to emulate Love in choosing four.